What is creation? | Krishnamurti

Summary

This script delves into profound philosophical reflections on creation, time, and the nature of existence. It challenges the notion of manifestation, emphasizing that what is truly eternal and beyond time has no beginning or end. The speaker explores the idea of immortality and the sacredness of life, critiquing how humans reduce life to trivial concerns. They highlight the importance of seeing life as a vast, interconnected whole, where love and compassion are central to achieving unity and wholeness, ultimately guiding one toward a deeper understanding of life and the universe.

Takeaways

• 😀 Creation is not just about manifested things like art or physical forms, but about something beyond, which has no beginning or end.
• 😀 Everything that is manifested, including human life, has a beginning and an end, but there may be something beyond time, beyond manifestation.
• 😀 True immortality lies in discovering something that transcends time and is beyond the limitations of the human experience.
• 😀 Life is often reduced to trivial matters, but it is actually sacred and vast, deserving of deeper reverence.
• 😀 We are not just products of divine forces or evolution; we are the results of countless factors but also have the potential to move beyond those limits.
• 😀 Violence, anger, and destruction are irreligious acts that degrade the sanctity of life and human existence.
• 😀 Human life is often fragmented and small, and we fail to see ourselves as part of a larger, interconnected whole.
• 😀 True meditation is not about physical practices but about realizing the wholeness of life and the unity between all things.
• 😀 A feeling of unity with the universe, where everything is interconnected, can only arise when we abandon selfishness and embrace love and compassion.
• 😀 The ultimate realization is that life, when seen as a whole and with compassion, has no beginning or end, transcending concepts of birth and death.

Q & A

What is creation, according to the speaker?

The speaker defines creation not as the work of artists or craftsmen, but as something beyond manifestation. Creation, in this sense, refers to that which is not manifested, has no beginning or end, and exists beyond time.

What does the speaker mean by 'manifestation'?

Manifestation refers to anything that has a beginning and an end. This includes living beings, objects, and processes that arise, exist temporarily, and can be destroyed. The speaker contrasts this with something that is not manifested, which is beyond time and imperishable.

Why is the concept of immortality discussed in the script?

Immortality is introduced as something that exists beyond time and death. The speaker suggests that if one can discover or realize that which is beyond time, then one can attain immortality, escaping the cycle of birth and death.

How does the speaker view life?

The speaker views life as a sacred and vast movement, one that is often reduced to something small and petty by human actions and limited perspectives. The speaker urges us to see life as whole, with depth and vastness, rather than fragmented and narrow.

What is the speaker's stance on violence and anger?

The speaker condemns violence and anger as deeply irreligious and harmful. He reflects on his own experience of anger, admitting that it still lingers with him despite having been angry only once, highlighting the lasting negative impact of such emotions.

What does the speaker mean by the 'fragmentation' of the world?

The speaker points out that human beings often see the world in fragmented terms, disconnected from the larger whole. People are limited, petty, and fail to recognize the unity of life, nature, and the universe, which all form a cohesive, interconnected system.

How does the speaker suggest we can achieve a feeling of wholeness?

The speaker suggests that by letting go of self-centered interests and cultivating love and compassion, one can experience the feeling of wholeness and unity with life. This is seen as the true purpose of meditation.

What role does meditation play in the speaker's philosophy?

Meditation, according to the speaker, is not just a physical practice like sitting cross-legged or performing yoga poses. It is about developing a sense of wholeness and unity with life, and it can only be achieved through love and compassion.

What does the speaker mean by 'breaking down the small self-centered interest'?

The speaker advocates for transcending the narrow, self-centered perspective that limits understanding and connection with the world. By doing so, one can open up to a broader, more infinite view of life and existence.

How does the speaker link love and compassion to the experience of wholeness?

Love and compassion are central to the speaker’s idea of achieving unity with life. Without these qualities, true meditation and the feeling of wholeness cannot be realized. They are essential to transcending personal limitations and experiencing the interconnectedness of all things.